Aunt Bee’s Medicine Man
What is one of your biggest fears?
What extreme, drastic, or unusual measures did this fear tempt you to take?
Have you ever been deceived by someone? If so, how?
Well, in tonight’s episode of Andy, we see Aunt Bee facing fear, and being deceived because of her fear. I will open us with a word of prayer, and then we will watch this episode of Andy Griffith.
Let’s Pray!
(PLAY AUNT BEE’S MEDICINE MAN DVD)
To start, what can we learn from tonight’s episode of Andy Griffith?
Well, here is a recap of what we just watched. Aunt Bee is troubled that a friend her age has just died. She is feeling vulnerable and afraid because of her age. A traveling salesman, Colonel Harvey, comes to town selling an elixir that will “cure all that ails ya.” She purchases 2 bottles, as do many of the town’s people, only to find that they have been swindled. Andy and Barney see through the man’s scheme when they find Aunt Bee a little “tiddly,” and they catch him, thus preventing further humiliation of the town’s people. However, Andy must help Aunt Bee see the truth about this handsome, charming stranger.
First, we see a lesson about fear.
Aunt Bee was afraid of her age, and afraid that something was going to happen to her. And because of that fear, she did some things that she normally wouldn’t have done. Sometimes, being fearful may be a lack of trust in God or a lack of understanding of God’s plan. And usually, being fearful tempts us do irrational and unusual things.
A second thing that we lean in this episode, is about deceit or deception.
Aunt Bee was obviously deceived by this smooth talking, good looking gentleman. Deception always sounds good. A general rule though, is if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
In Proverbs 10:9 it says that, “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” Also, in Proverbs 10:23 it says, “A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.”
What can deception do to us?
Well, deception can certainly trick us. In I Corinthians 15:33 it says, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” In Proverbs 1:10 it says, “My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.”
Also, deception can defeat us as well. In I Peter 5:8 it says, “Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” So it is very possible that the deceit that we fall to can completely destroy us.
So, how do we fight against deception?
Well, what we need to do is develop wisdom and discernment. In Proverbs 14:8 it says, “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of the fools is their deception.” And later, in Proverbs 18:15 it says, “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, the ears of the wise seek it out.”
Wisdom is a key to overcoming deception. Wisdom protects us from being deceived. Wisdom gives us the ability to discern the enemy’s tricks. And wisdom keeps us from foolishness.
Discernment is another thing that we need. We need to be able to use our best judgment along with God’s guiding to find out what is true, and what is false. In I John 4:1 it says, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
You see, Christians have a responsibility to discover truth and to be people of truth. We are not supposed to believe everything someone says.
Now, at this time, I want to take us into a time of discussion. To see what we can learn from each other this evening.
At the beginning, I asked if you had ever been deceived by someone. For those of you who have been, how did you feel when you found out?
How did Aunt Bee and the other ladies feel when they realized what had happened?
What was your initial opinion of Colonel Harvey?
What did Aunt Bee think of him?
Did Colonel Harvey use the same deceptive techniques with Aunt Bee and Opie?
What does that tell you about deception and the devil?
Have you ever met someone you thought was “a bit shady” or deceptive but other people thought they were honest?
Can you think of someone who was caught in a sin that they thought was hidden from everyone? (Cain, Ananias and Sapphira, …)
Harvey said about Andy, “None so blind as those who will not see.” But wasn’t Andy the only one who really saw what was happening?
Can you explain what “spiritual blindness” means to you?
Do you think Jesus is the real “miracle cure”? Explain?
Now, before we close this evening, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?
Well, if there is nothing else, let me end with a final thought. Colonel Harvey said, “My mission in life is health, is zest, is vigor, is the joy of living. Now, what I offer you, my friends, is no medicine. It is far more than that! It is a tonic, an elixir, to purge the body and lift the spirits, to put a light in the eye and a spring in the step, a lilt in the voice and hope in the human heart!”
As we think about that, doesn’t that sound like what God does when a person accepts Him into their live? He brings the joy of living. He lifts our spirits, and puts hope in our hearts.
In closing, if we want to get away from fear, and avoid deception, we should heed the words of Ephesians 5:15-17 which says, “Be very careful then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Let’s Pray!
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